FEHeroes: Realm Guardian

Chapter 11: As he always did

I woke up from my temporary bed in the Askran Royal castle. My head still felt like splitting in two. What was Hel talking about? What power lurks within me? I forgot about that thought when I remembered something that shattered my heart.

That wasn't until I stood up straight and saw Alfonse sitting across the room. Taking care of me, as he always did. He got close to me in my bed.

"Aqua! You're awake! Are you-?" He stopped when I launched myself to him in an embrace.
"Oh, Alfonse!" I exclaimed. He accepted my advanced but pulled away when he started to cough.

"Alfonse, are you ok?" I ask, clearly aware that he isn't.
"Well, I-" Sharena then steps in the room.
"Alfonse... How are you holding up?" She asks concern.
"Oh, Sharena... I'm all right. I can move, at least. Yet a strange sensation remains... like an icy blade plunged into my chest."

I looked at Eir who had a sorry expression on her.
"The death curse of Hel..."
"Eir, please, tell us what you know. Anything might help." I desperately pleaded.
"My mother's laws govern death... At the moment she lays her curse, the number of the dead is set. Those she has cursed will die on their appointed day. There is no escaping it..."
"No! There must- There has to be- Surely there's a way!" Sharena exclaimed. I honestly wish I had a positive response but, I was at a loss.

"Alfonse, the king and queen have arrived." Anna reported. Alfonse then grabbed my hand with worried eyes.
"Please stay with me Aqua." He softly pleaded.
"Of-Of course." He held my hand the entire way to the hall to his parents. Never letting go, as he always did.

"Oh, my son..." I let go his hand as Henriette embraced him.
"So you have been cursed by Hel." King Gustav said.

"I disobeyed you, Father. I am sorry." Alfonse's voice sounded so guilty. But it wasn't his fault.

"If I may, your majesty... The attack was sudden. Our scouts never even saw her. They appeared so suddenly, like ghosts... We had no chance to disengage. She engaged us first, there was no way-" I spoke but his cold gaze stopped me.
"Your mistake was setting foot on the battlefield at all. This is the consequences of Alfonse's rashness."

"Father... I'm so sorry." Alfonse apologize again.

"Hel... She claimed my father's life, too... There are no options left, Alfonse. There is no escaping her curse."
"Gustav! This is our son's life you're talking about!" Henriette sounded slightly upset at his response to the matter.

"Henriette please, listen. All of you must listen to what I say now. The royal family of Askr, our family, has suffered a loss. We must accept that and move forward."
"Father! You can't mean that! Alfonse is alive! He's right here beside you! There must be something we can do..." Sharena spoke up.
"Death will not be turned away." All I wanted to do was cover my ears and turn away, but at a slight movement, Alfonse grabs my hands and gave a gentle squeeze. I could tell that was a light "Please don't leave. I need you." I sighed and stayed as I looked at him.

"We can't know that unless we try!" Sharena continues.
"Enough. I will rejoin my forces. I must consider our next move." It was a clear dismissal.
"Father..." She gave up in trying to get through him.

"I have failed you, Father. I am sorry. But until the moment I die, I will continue to seek a means of defeating Hel. My only hope is that, in the time I have left, I can find some way to be of use..."
"Very well." He softly said and left.
We stayed in the halls discussing a plan.

"We must kill Hel. That is how we will save Alfonse. We're out of options..." Anna starts.

"Most legends hold that a curse is broken when the one who laid it is killed... Princess Eir, if Hel were to die, what would happen?"
"I do not know. My mother...has never been killed." Eir answers with curiousity on how we'll do it.
"That shouldn't stop us from trying!"